Sewage Damage in Your Basement: What Happens to Your Carpet

 

Sewage water damage is a serious issue that everyone should be aware of. Any form of water damage can be dangerous and have long-lasting effects on the homeowner, so it is important to take it seriously. If it happens to you then it is important to act quickly. However, many individuals have now built their basements, so the question of what could happen to their carpet if there was sewage damage is one that many need answering.

This article is about what to do if your carpet has been damaged by sewage water and if you can save it.

Act Now

The longer you wait to act, the less likely you can save your carpet. As the sewage water seeps into the fibres, all of the toxins and unknown bacteria can begin to live and breed in there – making it unsalvageable. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) says that sewage water damage is Category 3, so it is not safe for people and can have adverse reactions if consumed. That is why if you do not fix the problem right away, you can kiss goodbye to your carpet.

Look at The Damage

Before you begin jumping to conclusions, you want to look at how much of the carpet is damaged. If you have a small sewage leak then there is a chance of saving your carpet, but if the majority of your carpet is damaged then it is best to throw your carpet out. However, if it is Category 2 water damage, according to the IICRC, then you might be able to save your carpet and that includes your toilet leaking onto the carpet.

Look After Yourself

Do not touch the carpet without any protective gear. This is where it is recommended to hire a professional to come in and look at the damage because the IICRC mandates that professionals must wear full-body protection when it comes to sewage spills. Doing this is important because we do not know what is in the water and exposing your skin to it could result in physical problems. However, if you venture down into the basement then you too should wear safety gear. This includes goggles, a mask, gloves and even a suit of sorts.

It is better to be safe than sorry.

Ventilate the Area

Let’s say you have removed your carpet completely from the area because it is not safe to keep it, do not think that the bacteria are gone as well. Bacteria can be on many different surfaces and even in the air, so you must ventilate the area well because then the bacteria can be released from the area. The way to achieve this is by placing air circulation movers and dehumidifiers in the room.

Take That Sewage Water Out

Allow the professionals to use a wet vacuum to remove all of the sewage water from the carpet. However, if the carpet is completely submerged in sewage water and it has been that way for an extended amount of time then the carpet might need to be removed.

Conclusion

Overall, it is important to assess the damage that is done by sewage water. If your carpet has been covered in Category 3 sewage water for a long period then you should remove it from the home and throw it away. It is no longer safe for you to be around. However, if only a small part of your carpet has been infiltrated by Category 2 water damage then you can look at saving your carpet.

When in doubt, ask a professional because sewage water damage is one that you do not want to take lightly because it can affect your health.